Fifth Decade
2003–2012: World Cup 2006, Klopp's BVB and Wolfsburg's shock title
When Sepp Blatter, the FIFA president, opens the envelope on July 1, 2000, at the World Cup bid ceremony and says "and the winner is — Germany," he could easily have added "and the Bundesliga." Hosting the 2006 World Cup provides a massive boost for the boom that continues to be felt in the Bundesliga to this day. Business seats and VIP boxes have long been standard, the number of standing places is declining.
The "Sommermärchen" — the Summer Fairy Tale of 2006 — transforms Germany's relationship with football and with itself. New stadiums, renovated arenas, a wave of national optimism. The Bundesliga becomes the best-attended football league in the world, a distinction it holds to this day.
VfL Wolfsburg produces the decade's biggest shock by winning the 2009 championship under Felix Magath, powered by the extraordinary Brazilian duo of Grafite and Edin Džeko. Grafite's backheel goal against Bayern Munich — in a 5-1 demolition — is voted goal of the season and becomes an internet sensation.
Then comes Jürgen Klopp. Arriving at Borussia Dortmund in 2008, the charismatic coach transforms a financially troubled club into the most exciting team in Europe. "Gegenpressing" becomes the tactical buzzword. Dortmund win back-to-back titles in 2011 and 2012, the second with a record 81 points, and reach the Champions League final in 2013.
Bayern Munich, after a fallow period, rebuilds under Louis van Gaal and then Jupp Heynckes, who delivers the treble in 2013 — Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal and Champions League. It marks the beginning of an era of domination that would last over a decade.
